The masters - keeping it Real

Today I raise my hat to the Real Music Club in Belfast, who in the last seven days have brought us two of the masters of songwriting - Rodney Crowell (at the Black Box last Thursday) and James McMurtry (right, at the Errigle Inn on Monday). To have Will Kimbrough on stage (on Thursday) and Ian McLagan (on Monday) was also a treat. Each room featured a moderate smattering of songwriters, most of whom shook their head in wonder at how easy they all made it sound. I always think the best writing comes out like the singer just thought of it. That's what always appealed to me about the likes of John Prine and John Hiatt. It helps when you're as flat-out cool as McMurtry and Crowell, though. Watch out for what I reckon will be one of the cultural highlights of the year - the return to Belfast of Chris Smither in March. David Olney is there this week, too - a million blessings on Jim, John and the Real Music Club for keeping it live and keeping the quality so high. Check out the club calendar on www.realmusicclub.com